Julia A. Cook

Profile

Julia began her career as a trial attorney for Exxon, honing her litigation skills in courthouses across Texas. Julia is known for her tenacity, her meticulous preparation and her determination at trial. While her practice initially focused on real estate and banking litigation, over time her practice has expanded to include a wide variety of complex, commercial litigation matters.

Julia’s clients include lenders, creditors, business owners, contractors, real estate developers, landlords, tenants, executors, administrators, beneficiaries and entrepreneurs. In addition to being a tenacious trial attorney, Julia is just as comfortable representing clients in arbitration, mediation, and bankruptcy court. Julia routinely practices in both state and federal court. She has handled appeals before the Texas Courts of Appeal, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

Julia’s Practice Includes

Construction Litigation
Real Estate Litigation
Contract Litigation
Employment Litigation
Trust and Estate Litigation
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Lender Liability
Creditor Rights
Non-Competes
Trade Secrets
Partnership Disputes
Bankruptcy Disputes

Education

Bowdoin College
B.A., 1976, Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude

University of Memphis
J.D., 1982, Law Review: Comments Editor

Admissions

U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1983
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1984
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1984
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1992
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1984
U.S. Supreme Court, 2001

Representative Matters

Obtained interlocutory summary judgment resulting in favorable settlement for commercial real estate developer in lawsuit involving buyer’s failure to pay option fee.
Obtained take nothing jury verdict for endodontist sued for breach of contract by former employees.
Obtained monetary judgment in favor of oil and gas investor sued by well owner for alleged failure to pay completion costs.
Obtained judgment in favor of lender in federal court involving multiple claims and lender liability claims and defenses raised by the borrower.
Prevailed on behalf of lender in federal court allowing foreclosure on marina despite borrower’s multiple attempts to prevent foreclosure.
Successfully represented asset purchaser in adversary proceeding in bankruptcy court wherein client sought to purchase assets owned by the debtor and various family members.
Obtained jury verdict in favor of landlord in suit against guarantor on commercial lease.
Obtained jury verdict for investors on securities fraud claim.

Membership and Affiliations

State Bar of Texas, 1982
Litigation, Construction, Employment and Bankruptcy Sections
Houston Bar Association
Litigation, Construction, Employment and Bankruptcy Sections
Association of Women Attorneys
Judicial Screening Committee, 2010, 2012
Chair, Judicial Screening Committee, 2014
Treasurer 2014-2015
Vice President of Membership, 2015-2016 President-Elect, 2017-2018
President, 2018-2019
Association of Women Attorneys Foundation
Treasurer, 2015-2016

Community Involvement

United Campus Ministry, Board, 2010-2014
Christ Church Presbyterian, Elder, Education/Mission/Day School committees, 1989-2015

Recognitions and Awards

Texas Top Rated Lawyer, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
(based on AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Ratings)
Rating in Martindale Hubbell “AV” (highest)
H Texas Magazine’s Top Lawyers of Houston 2016-2017

Personal

Julia and her husband, Fred Cook, have two wonderful daughters. In addition to family, Julia’s passions include friends, yoga, running, and traveling.

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